Current TB Epidemics
Tuberculosis is still common in many third world countries, such as many countries in Africa, India, and other third world countries. Worldwide, TB infects 8 million people annually, and kills 2 million. Many people don't realize that smoking can increase the risk of contracting TB by up to 4 times. In these developing nations, prevention is unthought of, and TB is just one of many life-threatening diseases they must worry about each and every day.
Tuberculosis is the number one killer of AIDS victims. Though there are no real epidemics of TB today, it is at a high risk to become one because about 1/3 of the world's population is infected by TB, though they may never show signs. MDR (multi-drug resistant) TB is even more of a problem because they are resistant to the drugs normally prescribed.
Tuberculosis is still common in many third world countries, such as many countries in Africa, India, and other third world countries. Worldwide, TB infects 8 million people annually, and kills 2 million. Many people don't realize that smoking can increase the risk of contracting TB by up to 4 times. In these developing nations, prevention is unthought of, and TB is just one of many life-threatening diseases they must worry about each and every day.
Tuberculosis is the number one killer of AIDS victims. Though there are no real epidemics of TB today, it is at a high risk to become one because about 1/3 of the world's population is infected by TB, though they may never show signs. MDR (multi-drug resistant) TB is even more of a problem because they are resistant to the drugs normally prescribed.